The estimated PC growth rate for the current year is lower than 2011 (2%) and a significant drop from the robust PC growth witnessed in 2009 (6%) and 2010 (14%).
While the hard disk drive shortage had disrupted the PC market last year, the macro headwinds, cannibalization threat from tablets and the upcoming Windows 8 operating system lunch has further slowed down the PC growth rate this year.
In addition, the increasing popularity of smartphones and the threat of cannibalization from tablets led to a decline in global PC shipment growth rate.
In light of the tough macro conditions while the PC market growth rate has slowed down, tablets and smartphones sales are witnessing tremendous growth which is expected to increase in the future.
Conventional tablet PC mode provides first-rate multi-touch navigation as customers enjoy the intuitive and comfortable design, as well as the responsive 10.1-inch HD LED-backlit Gorilla Glass 2 full high-definition screen that is beautiful, strong and scratch-resistant.
ENGADGET: Atom-powered Acer Iconia W510 on sale November 9th for $500 and up
Nevertheless, with improving macro conditions, increasing demand from emerging economies and the introduction of new convertible and hybrid designs, we forecast the rate of decline in global PC demand to drop down in the future.
Nevertheless, with improving macro conditions, increasing demand from emerging economies and the introduction of new ultrabooks, convertibles and touch-enabled designs, we forecast the rate of decline in global PC demand to drop in the future.
We believe that the advent of tablets, especially the Apple iPad, could further slow down the PC market growth and forecast an average growth rate of 10% for the global notebooks and netbooks unit sales in future.
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Intel claims that the PC consumption in Q3 grew at half the season rate and it expects a similar situation next quarter as well.
Then from 2013 to 2017 portable PC shipments will grow to 241 million or a rate of 18.3% over the four years with the bulk of the growth coming from emerging markets.
GOG.com is much more than just another digital distribution site, featuring an extensive community component that allows players to rate, review and discuss their favorite PC games, as well as insightful articles from respected game journalists.
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There is upside to Microsoft should the PC market be able to sustain its recent growth trends. (See Microsoft 30% Upside if PC Growth Maintains Current Trend.) We currently estimate a growth rate of roughly 10% for global notebook and netbook units sold going forward, implied by our price estimate that currently stands about 18% ahead of market value.
Senior Intel management, notably Chief Executive Paul Otellini, has signaled concern over sufficient manufacturing capacity in 2010 should the PC industry hit or exceed a prospective 10%-15% unit rate of growth.
The keyboard dock seamlessly connects to the tablet PC, transforming it into a full-featured notebook for a first-rate typing experience.
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Based on our analysis, we find the total impact on PC unit growth could be more severe than we are modeling if our cannibalization rate assumptions prove too conservative, thus making the success of Windows 8 tablets a very important offsetting revenue source.
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Market research firm International Data Corp. now sees 2011 worldwide PC unit growth of just 2.8%, down from a previously forecast 4.2% rate.
FORBES: Slowdown: IDC Cuts 2011 PC Unit Growth Forecast to 2.8%
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